Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c11.8.3

c11.8.3

This is why, according to Caraka, vigour and complexion of the woman become particularly faded in this month. In the seventh month the foetus is provided with all limbs and is endowed with all requirements of existence (so that a child born in this month is capable of living, even though on account of early birth it may not live long-Aruṇadatta on AHr 2.1.58). The woman, therefore, becomes particularly fatigued in this month. In the eighth month the vitality (ojas) is led sometimes from the mother to the child, sometimes from the child to the mother through the canals carrying chyle. On account of this interchange of vitality, the child born in this month may not be capable of living, the mother as well as the foetus are sometimes bright, sometimes depressed and the mother's life is also in danger. In order to avoid delivery in this month, an oblation of flesh and rice is offered to the demon Nairṛta. Regarding time of birth see § 40 (Car 4.4.11-24; Su 3.3.30; AS 2.3.202 ff.; AHr 2.2.49-66; cf. Yājñ and Viṣṇu l. c.). The aforesaid theory of development, even though predominant (cf. also Garbhopaniṣad in Deussen's 60 Upaniṣads, p. 608), is not the only one. Thus Su 3.3.32 mentions the views of more ancient writers according to whom the head takes form first, because organs of senses are rooted in it; or the heart, because it is the seat of intelligence and the soul; or the navel, because through it the human body develops;